Albert Funke

Albert Funke, 82, longtime and respected resident of the Peninsula, died May 31, 2009, at the Circle of Life Adult Home where he had made his home for the past 16 years. He was born in South Bend on Jan. 9, 1927, the son of Guido and Hedwig (Heddy) Funke. He was a cranberry farmer, having grown up at the cranberry bog near Black Lake, present residence of Ardelle and Malcolm McPhail. He spent his early years in the Ilwaco schools and later attended school at St. Martins, Olympia. He had a gregarious nature, making friends wherever he went. He also was an inveterate traveler, cruising to Alaska, visiting spring training of the Mariners in Phoenix, metal detecting in the hills in Arizona, Disneyland in California. His latest trip shortly before his death was to Branson, Mo., where he satisfied his interest in country western by attending a Sons of the Pioneers Concert and getting autographs, enjoying the Roy Rogers Museum and adding to his baseball cap collection with a Hudson News cap. His caregiver and friend, Andrea Noonan, traveled with him and they were joined in Branson by Clay and Jan Lindsley, former owners of Circle of Life. Mr. Funke enjoyed and gave enjoyment to his many friends on the Peninsula. He attended church at Grace Family Fellowship, played a tambourine and guitar with a volunteer musical group each Wednesday at the Ocean View Convalescent Center. An avid stamp collector he was a member of Stamp Club, he attended monthly meetings with Sea Resources in Chinook and kept his friends informed of fishing conditions after calling Coho Charters daily during sports fishing season. Besides many friends, he is survived by several cousins in Germany. He will be laid to rest beside an uncle and his parents at Lone Fir Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 13, at Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, Long Beach. A luncheon reception will follow. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that memorials may be made to local organizations of one's own choice. The guest book is available at www.pentillaschapel.com for friends who would like to write remembrances.